Welcome to the field! So let's start with how Coaching really works?
If you asked 100 different coaches that question, you would get 100 different answers!
Why is the question so subjective? Because it's all about YOU - your perception, abilities, skills, life experience, and your application of the basic principles of Coaching.
Then, of course, you must also factor in the client's circumstances, abilities, focus, life experiences, plans, willingness and ability to adapt and change.
…and that's without even getting to the "niche" stuff!
Let's look at a working definition of Coaching:
Coaching is a straightforward but often complex (see above!) methodology for support and guidance for an individual or group, which is applied to virtually any topic, business, or philosophy. It's a cooperative, collaborative, interactive partnership that employs targeted questions and reflective listening to enable and inspire clients to resolve their outstanding issues.
Coaching is About Communication
In short, coaching is all about advanced communication. It's a practical application of skills, wisdom, and life philosophy that you learn exclusively by doing.
It's about a cooperative, collaborative partnership with someone whose sole intention is to help them get the best out of themselves.
It can only be effective if you, as the 'Coach', have absolutely no attachment to the outcomes they create for themselves. After all, from the client's perspective, this is their life to live, and all the decisions they make and all the actions they take are entirely their responsibility.
They must own their own life and everything that happens in it. Personal responsibility is essential to us all.
Your job as a Coach is to challenge their thinking with the use of meaningful questions in a way that helps them make effective decisions and then take practical actions.
It would help if you also kept them focused on the task at hand as long as it's necessary to get the job done.
Who Hires a Coach?
Mainly, two kinds of people hire a Coach:
Those at the top of their game and want to get better.
Those who aspire to be at the top of their game and get there fast.
Consider this:
Every major sports star has a coach.
Every major entertainer has a coach.
Every major entrepreneur has a coach.
Why?
Because it makes perfect sense to do so! It saves time and money, the two most important issues for the most successful people in any field of endeavour. It relieves clients of the burden of a lot of trial and error too.
Coaching clients will always be strong people.
People with character with a strong sense of purpose and a desire to get things done
…and the quicker the better.
That's why Coaches find the profession so exciting! The variety also adds so much colour to everything they experience.
How Can You Become a Great Coach?
In short, the straight-up answer is: Your Clients will teach you everything you need to know!
You Learn by DOING!
Consider the story of Usain Bolt. How did he become the fastest man on the planet?
By going to a seminar?
Reading a book?
Watching a DVD?
Going to a class?
Reading a Manual?
Of course not.
He RAN! Maybe not so fast at first, but he ran...ALOT.
Then he learned about the importance of a great start and an excellent finish. So, he practised getting good at his starts and finishes. Then he tried to cut as much space out of the bit in between as possible.
He practised, adjusted, adapted, and changed …all when running.
He had to learn BY doing, WHILE doing.
That's how all the greats do it, and you will too. Coaching is no different. There is no other way.
But it's easier, more fun, and more fulfilling than you think. It's a vibrant way of connecting and communicating with clients to create beneficial outcomes about anything and everything they have on their mind NOW.
Even the Client Learns by DOING
There can be no benefit from Coaching without making decisions and taking action. Just knowing about something doesn't count for much. It's applying that knowledge in the form of decision-making and taking inspired action that creates the results.
Being decisive and taking action on critical issues can change your world. Resistance to change drops like a stone when you have tangible results that matter. That's how we find the courage to step out and change things.
Coaching is Both Evolutionary and Revolutionary
Coaching is evolutionary because the more clients you work with, the more skillful and refined you become in your abilities to help them.
It's revolutionary because it can create massive and positive change for both the client and the Coach at the same time.
And yet there is no magic to it.
There are no secrets to learn either.
It's simply a form of advanced communication that the Coach, through practice, and the client, through cooperation and collaboration, benefit from over time.
There is no better methodology for creating lasting, permanent change.
Imagine how many people you can help, the entrepreneurs you can enable to make their dreams come true, and the valuable relationships you'll forge!
So, go out there and change the world!
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